There is a boutique hiding out between the fractured, narrow storefronts lining New Gotham’s foggy docks. The shingles are ribbed and black. Washed, peeling paint and displays offering views into wicked leather and lace studded glam. The mannequins are ghoulish beauties stitched together from whatever was left from the last fool to cross one of the sinister witches.

Welcome to Sinister Stitches
“…apparel for a wicked fairy tale.”

A spicy trinity of black magic sisters breathe star-dusted dreams to life with their gothic apparel boutique. They are schooled in the old ways of “fabric-bending” by the Needlewitches of old. With this knowledge, they’ve created an entire line of clothing that all share the same basic design element: one-size fits all. Each garment will magically tailor itself to its wearer once worn. Last time the Witches-Who-Stitch, hosted a literary catwalk, heroines were called from all walks of life and genres to challenge their seamstress skills. This time, their men have joined the fun—apparently, they’ve been sent to the boutique. (Whether they like it, or not.)

The witches were NOT expecting men. Their expertise is usually limited to DEMANDING their husbands NOT wear that in public, and, of course, the fashioning of fantastic clothing for all of literature’s heroines. (New Gotham’s men usually get their goods from Rumpel’s Twisted Threads, BUT that’s beyond the point, the girls put a quill to their interview, changed some bits, and rose to the occasion.)

To enjoy the hilarity, please check out some of the questionnaire Julia Austen’s Truman O’Connor from Enticed by the Enemy demanded from Gillian with a slick smile after he swaggered into Sinister Stitches. 

THE WITCHES WHO STITCH QUESTIONNAIRE

Please provide the witches with your name: Truman O’Connor

Please provide the witches with the following:

Hair Color: Brown

Hair Length: [X] Short and Sharp, [ ] Shaggy and Sexy, [ ] Lush and Long

Eye Color:  Grey

Skin Tone: [ ] Ghoulish, [ ] Snow White, [ ] Cina-baby, [ ] Mochalicious, [ ] Dark Chocolate, [X] Other: Tan. I’m a firm believer in keeping up that sun-kissed glow. Ladies love it, ask any one of my three ex-wives.

Please provide the witches with your measurements and body-type.

a.) Height: 6’

b.) Body Type: [ ] Skeletal, [ ] Lean and Tender, [ ] Lean and Tough, [X] Ripe and Edible (Is this your version of a muscular build? Because that’s what I am. Long hours at the gym have that effect on a body.)

Do you have any extra extremities? Place an “X” to all that apply.

[ ] Horns or [ ] Halo
[ ] 20 ft. of Hair or More
[ ] Gills and Fins or [ ] Hooves
[ ] Wings (Span:   )
[ ] Tail (How many:  )

How many heads do you have? (Your boy bit doesn’t count!)

Are you quite certain it can’t be counted? Although the one on my shoulders is quite attractive, I think it would be rather unfair to dismiss the lower regions of my anatomy altogether.

Do you have arms and legs? If so, how many?

2 arms, 2 legs.

How dead are you? [X] Living, [ ] Undead, [ ] Astral Form

What are you? (Species/Breed)

I’m human, although if you were to ask my son. I’m sure he would claim I’m heartless and quite inhuman. Stupid kid, doesn’t know how to use the brain in his head. He’d rather let that blasted heart rule his decisions.

What is the occasion? (Ideas include: Wedding, Funeral, Sabbath, etc. Oh, and seduction is a valid occasion. The more details, the better.)

The occasion? Hmm, let’s just say I have very importantbusiness to attend to with my dear boy and that tramp of his who keeps stirring up so much trouble. If she’d just sell me that bloody bed and breakfast of hers, things could work out quite nicely. I’d get what I want and she and my son could continue this silly rendezvous they’ve got going on without my interference. The wench is setting herself up for heartache, however. She could never belong in the world of an O’Connor. One day my son will tire of her and move on. How could he not? It’s in his blood.

What’s the occasion setting? (Beach, haunted castle, grand ball, etc.)

I’ll be heading over to Anne’s Place, the bed and breakfast I’m well on my way to owning. A visit is long overdue. By the time I’m finished with her, Allison will be begging me to take the place off her hands.

Will you be fighting for your life at some point in the evening? 

Me? No. It’s Trey and Allison that should be concerned should they get in my way. Trey has enough sense to know when he’s been bested but I’m not sure the same can be said of her.

Will you be set on fire? Better yet, will you be setting other people on fire?

Setting a fire? Well there’s an idea…

Will you be grave-robbing? (Dirt is a tailor’s tedium.)

Not in this suit.

What are you wearing right now? Who picked that outfit out? (Basically, who let you leave the crypt in those?)

I’m in a grey pinstriped Brioni suit. Green shirt. Matching tie. Yes, I look dashing and yes, this suit cost more than many will make in a year. But what can I say? Only the best.

Do you hope to be naked at some point in the evening? (All right, dirty birds. Such questions are actually intended toward the weres and shifters in regards to their transformations.)

I may end up in some lucky ladies bed by the end of the night. Just do me a favor and don’t let the Mrs. know.

Describe your last brush with Death in two sentences. (Helps us plan for the unexpected.)

My wife found a lipstick stain on my shirt collar that didn’t belong to her. It was an interesting night.

Do you need a secret compartment for gigantic swords? Guns and condoms? Eyeliner, maybe?

A place for a gun might come in handy. What’s the old saying? Ah, yes, “hope for the best, prepare for the worst”. I believe in leaving nothing to chance. Rest assured Trey won’t and I’ll not allow him to catch me unprepared.

What are your three favorite colors?

Black, green, and blue.

What two colors ninja your brain, sweetie?

I’m sorry, what? I’m going to need you to rephrase the question.

Please pick a style that you feel embodies you the best. If none apply, feel free to surprise us by providing your own brilliant description in the “other” slot.

[ ] Dark Angel: This is for the spoonfuls of charming. The good-natured and naughty boys next door types. Thoughtful and sensual. Loyal and intelligent. More often than not, his head is in the clouds, but those dreams and that smile holds hope for all of us. Our philosophers.

[X] Beast King: This is for the warlords and alphas. The type of men who walk into a room and their presence hushes out the sun.  They live in their bodies, but their minds are searching for the next challenge. Hands for fighting and these boots for ass-kickings. Our protectors.

[ ] Smooth Criminal: This is for the bad boys. You know, the types—mother’s worse nightmares. The kind of man that makes your skin itch every time he devours you with that hundred yard stare. Chances are his senses of humor is as wicked as his tongue. To hold him, isn’t to catch him. Our scheming rogues.

[ ] Black Knight: This for the mysteries. The ones no one can quite make heads or tails out off. He’s a mixture, a melting pot of strong, sinister, and sweet. He might be Dark Angel one day, and a Smooth Criminal other days. Our brothers.

[ ] Other:                                                                                 

Who is your favorite comic/storybook villain?

My dear, it’s been quite a while since I’ve read a comic or storybook. If you’d like to talk about the New York Stock Exchange, that would be more up my alley.

If you could be any comic/storybook book hero, who would it be?

Will this question really help you make me a suit? If not, I’d prefer to skip it. I’m getting rather bored and I need to get going.

Now, tell us who you love the most.

Love is a sign of weakness and I’m not weak. If you don’t believe me just ask Trey about what love does to a man.

Anything else you’d like to add…

Yeah, do me a favor and keep everything on this form private. My son doesn’t need to expect me. He’s rather fond of surprises and oh, do I have a surprise in store for him…

After many barrels of chocolate, a dash of magic, and furious sewing…
Sinister Stitches’ Rockabilly Starlet
Gillian Dweyer presents Truman’ s
Completed Threads
“Slow Burn”

The witch that greets you is by far the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen. Oil back curls frame her sweet moon-face, little button nose between two lush black suns for eyes. The poet’s shirt hanging off her dainty snow-white shoulders is of pale mauve crepe de Chine, rounded neckline with frill and long full sleeves cut by narrow bands around the wrists. Otherwise, everything else is pink. Pink, pink, pink. The close fitting, long skirt flaring gradually from her hips to the floor, the pink ballerina six-inch stilettos—everything about this woman is princess pink. Her small, pouty mouth curves in a flash of cute, somewhat crooked teeth:
I’m Gillian, babycakes, and I’m the Sinister Stitches’ Rockabilliy Starlet. Now, first, let me take that coat, dear. I need you a little more naked for this. And second, here, the NG Stock Exchange. Spider Shine is up by sixty-four points today. Astrid, my fledgling sister, advises you bend over and get some while it’s still good. Personally, I refused to invest another coin of hard-earned rubies and rations into any market, or bank for that matter, until someone with more than cookies for brains reenacts the Glass-Steagall Act. Won’t have bankers playin’ with my poker chips. Won’t do it.
But alas, all that naughty-licious is beside the point…*taps his nose with a seashell pink fingernail, lipstick shining so bright, he can almost see his gaping expression of utter fucking shock* We’ve got stitchin’ to do.
Now, you’ll notice that I took it upon myself to completely ignore your color requests for the most part. Frankly, darker colors don’t suit the truly wicked. Such evil is always felt, and often ignored, because it’s subtle. It’s the shades of gray and washed-out bone whites—those colors suit the truly evil. There is no need for villains to scream “LOOK at me” with their colors. On the contrary, you will stand out with a sharp and simplistic undercurrent. Threatening without having to say a word. After all, look at all these people in their flashy clothes, and there you are with that handsome mouth quirked in a faint sinister smirk. Completely above giving a whit about false pretention because you’re too busy conquering the known world.
Honestly, you remind me of my husband. Villainous sort, he is. Drop dead sexy, too. In regards, to the cut and fit of the suit—there was absolutely no contest. We went with the “British” cut for you. The lounge suit is of cream and ash brown Rumpel tweed. We did away with the waistcoat; to give your torso some breathing room. There is no need for you to be bulging out of your suit. Muscles are wonderful, but they do nothing for elegant lines. Speaking of elegance, you’ll note that the jacket is longer than those usually used today, and has been outfitted with an Oblivion Void inside pocket. It will accommodate a gun, and fold the steel with the pocket of reality. I will NOT have you ruining my lines with toys
Lastly, your double collared shirt is starched and worn with an Avalon blue speckled tie. We’ve thrown in this authentic Victorian walking cane and the top hat was crafted from Neverland fawn hatter’s plush, the brim dripping a little at the front and back. Just to give you that extra air of authority, and more importantly, mystery. Now, here’s a business card for Rumpel’s Twisted Threads—I haven’t the faintest idea what possessed you to come in here. This is obviously a woman’s store, dear.
Oh and before I forget, between you and me, I absolutely understand what it is to be saddled with problem children. As a matter of fact, should Trey wander this way, I’ll do my absolute best to set him on the right path. Now, you best be off to breakfast, dear. You know, what they like to say…

Gillian graciously escorts him out the door and slams the door shut behind him, a gruesome smile curving at the corner of her pretty smile: Out of the pan, and into the fire.

IMPORTANT BULLETINS from THE PIXIES:
For more information about Julia Austen and Truman ‘O Connor adventures in Enticed by the Enemy: please check out her author website. If you’re interested in signing up for Julia Austen’s mailing list for a release notification when Enticed by the Enemy is available for purchase, please use the form here.
Care to check out the last round of Sinister Stitches interviews? Check out Sophie Avett and Jennifer Blackstream’s paranormal den, the Brimstone Pub. All SS interviews are retired there after their tour until the release of the SS e-book.
Fancy a tour of New Gotham? Check out New Gotham’s Survival Guide! It might save your life!
For more information about Sophie Avett’s New Gotham Fairy Tales, the Sinister Stitches series, and recent releases, please check out her website.
Image Credit(s): guerrieroale
Image Editing Credit(s): Elaina, For the Muse Design